As the breeder of Alligator Blood and Vienna Princess, Gerry Havey had a day out on Saturday, so it was fitting he would end Everest Day at Randwick with his Westbury Stud bred, Reliable Man mare, Renaissance Woman in the Group III James Squire Angst Stakes (1600m).
Ridden by Josh Parr for Bjorn Baker, Renaissance Woman charged home to defeat the Maurice (JPN) mare Ausbred Flirt by three-quarters of a length, with the More Than Ready (USA) mare More Secrets a long-neck back in third.
The winner of the Group III Ethereal Stakes (2000m) and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m), Renaissance Woman advances her record to four wins and a second from 14 starts with earnings of $509,200.
“It’s been a big week. I must say I was confident she’d run well,” Baker revealed.
“It was a great ride by Josh (Parr), it worked out well. It’s a funny game racing: one minute you’re in front, one minute you’re down and you can come back quickly. We’ll have a lot of fun now and might kick on a bit.”
Josh Parr said the stable had Renaissance Woman at the top of her game.
“She certainly was (explosive); I’m so happy to win on her,” Parr said.
“She’s just a lovely mare now. She’s taken that progression from three-year-old filly to a really strong mare and to sprint like that twice at the mile I think this preparation is a big feather in Bjorn (Baker) and his team’s cap because they’ve kept her sharp enough to show that.”
A $250,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Attunga Stud from the Westbury Stud draft, Renaissance Woman was the most expensive yearling filly by Reliable Man (GB) sold in 2021.
Renaissance Woman is the best of two winners from three to race for the winning Fastnet Rock mare Mrs Kennedy, who is a sister to stakes-placed Millard Reaction and three-quarters to Passive Aggressive, Missrock and Pearl Green, and a half-sister to Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis, Fifth Avenue, Aussies Love Sport and Miss Judgement.
After missing for two seasons, Mrs Kennedy foaled a brother to Renaissance Woman in November and was not served.
